What Is Endocrine Surgery?
Endocrine surgery is intended to treat diseased glands of the endocrine system, which are responsible for releasing hormones into the bloodstream. This distribution of hormones helps maintain the function of cells throughout the body; however, when an endocrine gland disorder develops (most commonly in the thyroid and parathyroid), it can lead to hormone deficiencies, excess hormone production, or the formation of a tumor (benign or malignant). Our board-certified general surgeons perform minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic-assisted endocrine surgeries to help correct the disorder by removing part or all of a diseased gland.
- Endocrine System Functions
- Endocrine Surgery Procedures
- Endocrine Surgery Recovery
What Does Your Endocrine System Do?
Our bodies are made up of a network of glands and organs communicating with each other by using chemical messengers known as hormones. The center of this communication is the endocrine system, which secretes hormones through the glands within the system. By releasing the hormones from glands into the bloodstream to interact with various organs and tissues, the endocrine system is essentially telling our bodies how to operate by regulating our internal functions. Examples of these bodily functions include:
- Breathing
- Sensory and movement
- Metabolism and appetite
- Growth and development
- Heart rate and blood pressure
- Sleep and wake cycles
- Sexual function and pregnancy/reproduction
- Body temperature
If one or more glands of the endocrine system is not working properly or becomes ill, it can have a significant impact on your overall health. In some cases, to restore bodily functions back to normal, the affected gland or glands may need to be surgically removed.
What Does Endocrine Surgery Entail?
Our doctors at Suburban Surgical Care Specialists/Kane Center are highly experienced at performing endocrine surgery utilizing various radiologic imaging technologies, both laparoscopically (camera-assisted) and robotically (assisted by mechanical arms). These advanced techniques allow our surgeons to operate through tiny incisions in the neck or abdomen, which produce smaller scars with less pain and recovery time, while effectively treating disorders with the utmost precision. Most endocrine procedures are performed under general anesthesia.
The most common procedures performed by our team include the following:
Adrenal Gland Removal
Adrenal gland removal (adrenalectomy) is generally needed to remove one or both adrenal glands, although it is more common for only one adrenal gland to need removal. The hormones produced by adrenal glands affect an individual’s metabolism, the immune system, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other important body functions. Typically, an adrenal gland may need to be removed if a tumor has developed in the gland (typically benign/non-cancerous), if the glands are overproducing certain hormones (such as cortisol), or if cancer has spread from another part of the body. Once removed, a pathologist will examine the adrenal gland and tissue, and your doctor will go over next steps and possible follow-up care, such as hormone replacement medicine.
Thyroid Resection
Thyroid resection is commonly performed to remove abnormal nodules and other abnormalities of the thyroid. This gland is located in the neck and is responsible for controlling most of the body’s metabolic activity. When the thyroid develops an abnormality, this can have a significant influence throughout the body. Thyroid nodules can either be filled with fluid or a solid material, and are most commonly benign. Even if they are not harmful, however, these can lead to thyroid hyperactivity, causing excess hormone production and the need for thyroid surgery. When these nodules are malignant (cancerous), they will need to be removed, and the surrounding areas will also need to be tested. Depending on the severity of the case, a full or partial removal of the thyroid may be necessary.
Parathyroid Surgery
Parathyroid surgery (parathyroidectomy) is mainly intended for the treatment of hypercalcemia, which is characterized by an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood. This condition is often associated with issues like osteoporosis, fatigue, kidney stones, and joint pain. Hypercalcemia is commonly caused by parathyroid adenomas (benign tumor in one or more of the glands) or parathyroid hyperplasia (all of the glands are overactive or enlarged). Parathyroid surgery can be performed to carefully remove the affected glands. During the procedure, our surgeons evaluate all four of the parathyroid glands to ensure no additional abnormalities are present.
What Does the Recovery from Endocrine Surgery Entail?
Recovering after endocrine surgery will depend on the type of surgery you had and techniques used to perform the gland removal. Laparoscopic and robotic surgeries tend to use smaller incisions, which can contribute to less pain and faster recovery time. Some patients may be able to return home the same day while others may need to spend at least one night in the hospital. It is usually recommended to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous or high-impact activities for 10 to 14 days. Your surgeon will provide you with precise aftercare instructions to guide you in recovering as quickly and safely as possible.
Through minimally invasive endocrine surgeries, patients can typically better control their conditions, if not eliminate their disorder altogether. To learn more about conditions of the endocrine system, please contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable surgeons.